Outcomes UK Promotes Mock Inspection Services in Response to Munro Review

WORCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND, March 16, 2011 (Press-News.org) Outcomes UK is promoting its mock inspection services to Local Authorities in response to the recently published Munro review.

The Munro review of child protection reinforces that Local Authorities will be increasingly under the spotlight in their accountability for the provision of high quality services to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.

The review highlights a potential policy change to focus on unannounced inspections in order to enable the Local Authority to focus on the delivery of quality services rather than the preparation for announced inspections. Local Authorities are tasked to ensure that any underlying issues around practice, process and risk are identified quickly, and sustainable improvements are made in order to maintain continual positive outcomes.

Designed to mirror existing Ofsted unannounced and announced inspections, Outcomes UK mock inspections use tested and proven audit tools which are tailored to individual Local Authority needs, and in line with inspection requirements.

Since the company's formation in 2003, Outcomes UK has provided a wide range of support to the public sector, delivering positive and sustainable change to services for vulnerable people. The organisation's experience in change management, service improvement and enhancing safeguarding functions ensures that when commissioning a mock inspection, Local Authorities benefit from an independent and expert oversight of the current quality of practice with comprehensive feedback to staff and management. Results have been demonstrated in the outcome of subsequent Local Authority Ofsted inspections.

Laura Mullane, Resourcing Director at Outcomes UK, comments: "With the benefit of our broad experience and proven approach in executing consultant mock inspections, we have demonstrated the value that these exercises can bring to Local Authorities. We have been able to highlight areas for development for clients in order to commence projects to implement or make tactical changes to address service shortfalls which Directors of Children's Services have found invaluable.

"In an increasingly demanding marketplace, Outcomes UK is supporting Local Authorities to not only identify where the issues are but also by working alongside we can take them forward in continuing to develop and improve practice performance. Our Quality Assurance division ensures that we are best placed to manage the changing requirements of customers when providing a mock inspection of front-line duty and assessment teams which include file audits, caseload allocations, policy and procedure improvement, service improvement, interview preparation and delivery of workshops.

"We can supply Senior and frontline staff during organisational change to establish continuity and develop the improvements required to achieve a positive inspection outcome."

Outcomes UK is well placed to provide post-inspection needs-led services to Local Authorities in relation to consultancy and resourcing solutions.

Established in 2003, Outcomes UK works in partnership with customers across the Public, Independent and Third sector throughout England, Scotland and Wales. With a proven track record in Children's Services, the organisation now has a broader remit encompassing Health and Social Care interests. Outcomes UK delivers sustainable, outcomes-driven solutions, with a commitment to making a difference to the lives of vulnerable people. For further information on the way Outcomes UK are now working to improve services for vulnerable people, please contact Laura Mullane on 01527 556610 or visit www.outcomesuk.com.